stuckle



' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. W. STUCKLE.

(No Model.)

FOLDING SLATE.

No. 279,457. Patented June 12,1883.

(No Model.) f 2 sheets-sheet 2. W. STUCKLE.

' FOLDING SLATE.

Patented June 12,1883.

F i 1 L l. i wml@ :Ll: l ml UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEt WTLHELM sTUcKLE, or woEMs, HEssEN, GERMANY.`

FOLDING SLATE.`

SPECIFICATION 'forming `part of Letters Patent No. 279,457, dated June 12, 1883.

Application tiled OctolierlS, 1882. (No model.) Patented in Germany May 26, MS2; in Belgium, June 2. H482; in England l'nne 2, 185253, No. 2,608; in France .Tune 3. 1882. and in Austria-Hungary (')ctuber I8, lrrl.

.T all whom t may concern.-

Be it known that 1 XVTLHELM STUCKLE, of '\Vorms, lin the Grand Duchy of Hessen, in the German Empire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Slates, of which the following is a specification.

I provide two slates or writing-tablets, each set in a separate frame, andV preferably protected on the back by a suitable board or cover.

These two frames are, at one of their sides,

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification, and represent what I consider the best means of carrying out the in` vention.

Figure 1 is atransverse section through my improved slate, showing the same nearly entirely folded, so as to present tl1e covering or boards Von the outside and the slates or writing-tablets facing each other; Fig. 2 is an end view of a part of the slates, showing the same completely folded. Fig. 3 is a section corresponding to Fig. 1 of a part of my slate, lshowing one tablet turned through an angle of one hundred and eighty degrees, so as to expose both writing-tablets in one plane. Fig. 4. is a plan view of Fig. 3. Fig'. 5 is an edge view of a part corresponding to Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is an edge view sh owing the locking means. Fig. 7 is a horizontal. section corresponding to Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the complete slate partially open. Figs. 9 and 10 show a modification in the construction of the hinges. Fig. 9 is a plan showing part of the slate in the open position, and Fig. 10 is an edge view showing the slates completely folded. Figs. 11 and 12 show another modification in the construction of the hinges. Fig. 1l is a plan, and Fig. 12 an end view. The

remaining figures represent modifications of the locking means. Fig. 13 is a transverse section, and Fig. 14 an edge view, of one modification. Fig. 15 is a transverse section, and Fig. 16 an edge view, ofanother modiiication. Fig. 17 is a'horizontal section, Fig. 1S an edge view, and Fig. 19 a transverse section, showing still another modification. Fig. 2() is a horizontal section, Fig. 21 an edge view, and Fig. 22 a transverse section, showing still another modification.

. The improvements relate, mainly, to the construction of a rigid, strong, and yet simple hinge which firmly connects the two slates or tablets when folded together in either direction, and which allows each slate to turn through an angle of three hundred and sixty degrees, and also to the use of-a fastening that securely holds the slates together in whichV ever direction they are folded. For this purpose, according to one arrangement, (shown at Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8,) a iiat plate or link, a, with rounded ends and with a hole in each end, is inserted edgewise into notches formed in the meeting edges of the frames R R of the two y slates, so that one-halt'l of the .plate is situated in each frame. The notches are formed near each end of the frames, -and holes are bored longitudinally through the ends thereof in positions corresponding with the holes of the plate,

- so that in inserting pins S with screwed ends into such holes they pass through the holes of the plate and are secured by screwing into the wood beyond the same, acting as pivots to the hinge. The meeting edges R t ofthe two slates being rounded semicircularly, like the connecting-links, it will be seen from the various positions shown in the drawings that the slates can be folded over in every direction, turning through an angle of three hundred and sixty degrees.

B are covers or boards which form a back for the slates, and effectively protect them when the whole device is in the closed position.

According to the modication shown at Figs. 9 and 10, the plate or link a. is pivoted to two other flat plates, P I), which are secured by screws to theend surfaces 'of the frames R R of the plates.

This arrangement maybe considcred stronger that the foregoing, as all parts of the hinge are of metal, and consequently not liable to damage by the splitting of the frame, as in the rst arrangement. According to another modification, instead of forming the connecting-link ot' a solid plate, it .is made of a piece of thin sheetmetal, I), bent together so as to form an eye at each end, as shown at Figs. 1l, and 12, and is secured by means of such eyes to the eyes of two other plates, fu lu, formed by bending a piece of sheet metal together, and which are secured by screws to the 1l at surfaces of the frames.

The fastening together of the slates can be effected in various ways, either at t-he outer edges or at the upper and lower edges. The former is to be preferred, as the latter .requires two fastenings. According to one arrangement, (shown in Figs. 1, (i, 7, and 8,) a hole is formed in the edge R of the one slate, either at the end or preferably at the side, into which is inserted the one shank of a forked piece, A., of metal, such shank being retained in the hole by a helical spring, c, bearing against a collar, e, on the end of the shank, and against a metal plate, d, fitted over the hole. rIhe other shank, j', of the forked piece is considerably shorter, and when the plates are fol ded together is caused to snap into a corresponding hole, g, in the edge o t' the second slate, which hole is protected from wear by a plate, l1, the forked piece being drawn out somewhat against the action of the spring for this purpose. The forked piece A being capable of turning right around in its hole, it will secure the slates in whichever direction they may be folded. Fig. 1 shows the fastening A turned into the two opposite positions, the' slates being open. Fig. shows the same with the slates closed. Fig. 7 shows the fastening drawn out and resting with its short limbs on the frame.

According to the modification shown in Figs.

' 13 and 14, a plate is fixed on the edge of each slate, the'plate of the slate R having hinged to it a metal flap, B, having a hole at its free end which fits over a stud, l, on .the plate of the other slate, Rf, the flap being capable of turning in either direction, so as to secure the slates in whicheverdirection they may be folded; or, instead of the flap, a double hook may be employed, as at C, Figs. 15 and 1G, turning in either direction on'a pin and hooking onto a stud or into a loop, K, 011 the other slate. According to another modification, (shown at Figs. 17, 18, and 19,) a hinged plate similar to that previously described carries on each side a projecting pin or stud, ZZ, having a notch,

slates.

hook, or eye at its end, which iits into a recess in the other slate, R, covered by a metal plate. In this recess is arranged a spring bolt or catch, m, which catches into the notch ofthe stud, and thus secures it, the catch being withdrawn by an externa-l but-ton, a, compressing the spring o and releasing the stud Z. According to another arrangement, (shown at Figs. 20, 21, and 22,) the one slate is fitted with abolt, E, having a head at each end and sliding transversely through the frame, so as to project with its one end into a recess in the other slate. In this recess is a spring catch or lever, p, that catches under the head ofthe sliding bolt, and thus secures it, and which can be depressed by an external stud, r, so as to free the bolt, allowing it to be drawn out of the hole on opening the As the hole of R and the catch of R are perfectly symmetrical, the closing may be effected on either side, as indicated bythe dotted lines in Fig. 21.

The advantages of the,above-described construction ofhinges and fastenings for slates as compared with those ordinarily employed consist, mainly, in that the slates are protected from fracture, while the writing thereon is not liable to be rubbed out and is protected from dirt and dust, and the slates are prevented from shifting one on the other.

By having the securing-pins S inserted from the ends of the slate, l ain enabled to use a very simple hinge-piece, as heretofore described, without any wings or other attaching means, to fasten the hinge-piece in the frames of the slates.

I am aware of Patents Nos. 234,215, 01'1880, and 186,621, of 1877, and the constructions therein set forth are not sought to be covered in thisapplication.

that l claim as new is- The reversible double-hinged slate herein described, consisting of the recessed frames, hinge-plates, and retaining-pin, the spring hook A, located on the side of one of the frames opposite the hinge, and adapted to engage and lock the other frame as it is folded upon either side of the frame to which the hook is attached, and the whole adapted to serve asV and for the purposes herein set forth.

ln testimony whereof lf have hereunto set my hand, at Mannheim, Baden, this 10th day of August, 1882, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

VILH. STUCKLE.

Vitnesses:

J. ENGLERT, J. LOUDNER.

IOO 

